Monday, 21 October 2013

Review: W7 Rock & Roll Eye Shadow in 'Terracotta'*

I was recently sent a few bits and pieces to try and review by the lovely people at Xtras, one of which was W7's Rock & Roll Eye Shadow in the shade 'Terracotta'*. W7's Rock & Roll Eye Shadows consist of loose pigment powder eyeshadow, in an easy-to-use roll-on format; I tend to avoid loose pigments because of the mess I invariably make, so I was intrigued to see how I'd get on with this apparently fool-proof packaging innovation!

The packaging is simple but doesn't feel cheap or flimsy; a clear glass container with a black plastic screw cap and a plastic roller-ball applicator, meaning you can easily see which shade you've picked up, as well as how much product is left. W7 claim: "These foolproof roll-on eye shadows come in a wonderful range of shimmering metallic shades to complement any eye colour. Simply roll directly onto the skin, and blend to suit using your fingers, or a blending brush. Voila!"

I've been doing just that, rolling over my lids and using a blending brush to blend out so as to avoid harsh lines and uneven pigmentation. I'd expected that a powder product wouldn't be very easy to roll onto the skin, but I couldn't be more wrong on that front; the pigment dispenses easily and evenly over my eyelids with minimal pressure, making it quick and easy to apply. One swipe (top swatch below) gives a subtle, shimmery look, whilst the colour can easily be built up with multiple swipes (bottom swatch below) to achieve a more intense effect. My one complaint would be that I have experienced quite a bit of fall-out, but honestly I'd expect that with a loose pigment at the best of times.

I've not tried this over an eye primer yet and honestly, I don't feel the need to; even without primer, the pigmentation is excellent and the lasting power is one of the best I've ever come across. I've not experienced any creasing at all, and the colour looks just as it did when I applied it after ten hours' wear. That's pretty impressive, especially for me and my super-oily lids, which usually crease shadow within about thirty minutes! 'Terracotta' is a lovely mid-brown shimmery shade, which looks lovely with my hazel eyes but which would suit most eye colours and skin-tones well in my opinion. It's easily wearable both for everyday, and built up to a more dramatic look for night-time. (Please do excuse my brows which are in desperate need of some attention!)

[Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Methylparaben,

Propylparaben, Tin Oxide. May contain: Mica, CI 77891, CI 77491,

CI 75470, CI 77510, CI 42090, CI 19140, CI 77742, CI 22007]

The ingredients aren't amazing, what with silicon (Dimethicone; notorious for blocking pores) and two parabens, but I wouldn't expect much more from such a budget brand and in honesty, I'm not too bothered as my facial skin is thankfully less sensitive to parabens than elsewhere on my body. Nonetheless, it is something to consider if you like to be careful about what you're putting on your skin!
Overall, I really like this eyeshadow; it makes loose pigment a lot easier to work with, the colour payoff is great and the lasting power is amazing! I'll definitely be looking to pick up a couple more shades of these. W7 Rock & Roll Eye Shadow is available from Xtras, priced at £1.99.

Have you ever tried a roll-on eye shadow? What's your favourite eye shadow format? Do you like this shade of eyeshadow?

[Please note this product was sent for my consideration for the purpose of a review.

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